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Computing

Progression of Skills for Computing

Intent

At Tutshill C of E, we offer a structured sequence of lessons to ensure coverage of the skills required to meet the aims of the national curriculum. Delivered through our core Christian Values, we provide opportunities for children to show creativity, develop perseverance and show responsibility when using technology. The content of our curriculum allows for a broad, deep understanding of computing and how it links to children's lives, allowing children to apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science. Computing is differentiated through our understanding of meta-cognition as an awareness of an  individual's own thought processes and ability to reflect on the way that they think and learn. Using our Learning Behaviours, children develop analytical problem-solving skills and learn to reflect, evaluate and apply when using information technology. It also enables them to become responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information technology. Children are given opportunities to research important individuals and topics which have helped shape the world, showing the real impact of Computing on everyday life and our understanding of it. This in turn helps to inspire children to become the next generation of Computer Scientists and innovators preparing children for the responsibilities and experiences of later life. It also develops children’s global awareness; teaching how Computing both reflects and contributes to an awareness of British Values culture and creativity. Kapow Primary’s Computing scheme aims to instil a sense of enjoyment around using technology and to develop pupil’s appreciation of its capabilities and the opportunities technology offers to, create, manage, organise, and collaborate. Tinkering’ with software and programs forms a part of the ethos of the scheme as we want to develop pupils’ confidence when encountering new technology, which is a vital skill in the ever evolving and changing landscape of technology. Through our curriculum, we intend for pupils not only to be digitally competent and have a range of transferable skills at a suitable level for the future workplace, but also to be responsible online citizens. 

Implementation

Our weekly lessons contains revision, analysis and problem-solving. Through the sequence of lessons each term, we intend to inspire pupils to develop a love of the digital world and see its place in their future. Cross-curricular links are also important in supporting other areas of learning. In Key Stage One, the focus is on developing the use of algorithms, programming and how technology can be used safely and purposefully. In Key Stage Two, lessons still focus on algorithms, programming and coding but in a more complex way and for different purposes. Children also develop their knowledge of computer networks, internet services and the safe and purposeful use of the internet and technology. Data Handling is featured more heavily in Upper Key Stage Two and skills learnt throughout the school are used to support data presentation.  

The Kapow Primary scheme is organised into five key areas, creating a cyclical route through which pupils can develop their computing knowledge and skills by revisiting and building on previous learning: • Computer systems and networks • Programming • Creating media • Data handling • Online safety The implementation of Kapow Primary Computing ensures a broad and balanced coverage of the National curriculum requirements, and our ‘Skills showcase’ units provide pupils with the opportunity to learn and apply transferable skills. Where meaningful, units have been created to link to other subjects such as science, art, and music to enable the development of further transferable skills and genuine cross curricular learning. Lessons incorporate a range of teaching strategies from independent tasks, paired and group work as well as unplugged and digital activities. This variety means that lessons are engaging and appeal to those with a variety of learning styles. Differentiated guidance is available for every lesson to ensure that lessons can be accessed by all pupils and opportunities to stretch pupils’ learning are available when required. Knowledge organisers for each unit support pupils in building a foundation of factual knowledge by encouraging recall of key facts and vocabulary. Strong subject knowledge is vital for staff to be able to deliver a highly effective and robust computing curriculum. Each of our units of lessons include teacher videos to develop subject knowledge and support ongoing CPD. Further CPD opportunities can also be found via our webinars with our Computing subject specialists. Kapow has been created with the understanding that many teachers do not feel confident delivering the computing curriculum and every effort has been made to ensure that they feel supported to deliver lessons of a high standard that ensure pupil progression. 

Impact

At Tutshill C of E, learning in computing is enjoyed across the school. Children use digital and technological vocabulary accurately, alongside a progression in their technical skills. They are confident using a range of hardware and software and produce high-quality purposeful products. Children see the digital world as part of their world, extending beyond school, and understand that they have choices to make. They are confident and respectful digital citizens going on to lead happy and healthy digital lives. The impact of Kapow Primary’s scheme can be constantly monitored through both formative and summative assessment opportunities. Each lesson includes guidance to support teachers in assessing pupils against the learning objectives and each unit has a unit quiz and knowledge catcher which can be used at the start and/ or end of the unit. After implementing Kapow Primary Computing, pupils leave school equipped with a range of skills to succeed in their secondary education and be active participants in the ever-increasing digital world. The expected impact of following the Kapow Primary Computing scheme of work is that children are critical thinkers and able to understand how to make informed and appropriate digital choices in the future. They understand the importance that computing will have going forward in both their educational and working life and in their social and personal futures. Children understand how to balance time spent on technology and time spent away from it in a healthy and appropriate manner. They understand that technology helps to showcase their ideas and creativity. They know that different types of software and hardware can help them achieve a broad variety of artistic and practical aims. Children will show a clear progression of technical skills across all areas of the National curriculum - computer science, information technology and digital literacy. They can use technology both individually and as part of a collaborative team, be aware of online safety issues and protocols and deal with any problems responsibly and appropriately. They have an awareness of developments in technology and have an idea of how current technologies work and relate to one another and meet the end of key stage expectations outlined in the National curriculum for Computing.